I don't know where you folks are, because in the region I'm in they wouldn't be keeping you w/o a degree. And these national average salaries are over the top -- again, here even my Masters in Engineering our businesses are not paying such wages. So, I suggest you who are still finding yourselves on the winning side of this economy should realize you may be one manager/actuary decision away from the other side, and so count your blessings each and every morning that you're allowed to participate.

Thats really great that these days engineers are becomming recognized as well because once there was a time when engineers were not that much paid and the moral of students who wanted to become engineers was comming down just because of the pay scale . But with these figures our young students can easily get motivated and can achieve what they want in lifes by becomming engineer .

Physicians have to adapt to changes in treatment and technology as well as the continuous cuts in reimbursements by insurance companies.

The advancements of technology, in imaging, for example, have made quantum leaps as well as how those images are read and interpreted. Granted, all created by an engineer but the user must also make changes to utilize the new techology.

With respect, most responses and comments are missing the true value of such reports and this one is lacking.

What is the true net result of the salaries surveyed relative to the net value or buying power of the dollar.

Nothing relative to the continued devaluation of our fiat currency has been taken into consideration.

Further, nothing is included to show how QE (quantitative easing) has impacted salaries. I would expect to see salaries coming up, but the truth/fact of the matter its a function of the devaluation of our currency which is no longer currency but fiat money.

I totally agree with that, Its mainly because their is no defined work for engineers like other occupations such as doctors or lawyers. A doctor will always have to work on humans, nothing is going to change about it. Engineers have to cope up with the development and advancment of technologies and also because of such a diverse nature of the jobs people are generally confused about our job descriptions.

"Engineering pays well because its a discipline that requires a lot from its students either in raw talent or just the tenacity to finish. It's a good profession, but WAY undervalued."

I wouldn't argue your point for a minute, RogueMoon. I would also add that it's not just undervalued, but widely misunderstood. Teachers in most of our high schools can tell you what doctors and lawyers and even accountants do, but most have no clue to what an engineer does.

Thanks for the thought about taking some college classes. I've actually done that; face to face and online, plus some electronics tech seminars off campus. I'm a try all the above guy.

I got half way through a CIM degree, but the college has since removed most of the shop equipment and converted the space into a book store... Way more money in that I guess.

You're right in that it was an eye-opener. It sure is funny when the old guy in the room is the one messing up the curve, which I've since heard is not all that unusual. I even spiked the ball a couple times in English class... lol

I've told many people who have worked for me the same thing; to take some classes and that they may be pleasantly surprised.

We are today's exceptions to what was once the rule. When I got into the tool & die industry (1964), virtually all the designers were extoolmakers. Now it is only relics like us.

I did go to college when I got out of the service and earned a degree in English. I intended to be a technical writer and tuition re-embursement was one way to make Uncle Sam pay me back the wages I lost when I got drafted. Imagine my surprise when I found that a journeyman tool maker made way more money than a beginning tech writer. Instead I just became a curiosity in any shop where I worked. 27 years later I returned to get Teacher Certification and taught evenings for 6 years at a small, expensive boy's boarding school. It was a great experience but I had to quit when things at my day job changed. I hope to return as a teacher when I retire from my day job.

Ralphy Boy, I would encourage you and anyone else who has been out of school for a long time to enroll in a couple classes at any local school. Not online classes, but real face-face classroom experience. You may find it a real eyeopener as to how much you know and can apply from real life experiences and how much just plain rubbish is being spoonfed to student's heads full of mush, by teachers that have never moved outside a class room. Even in tech schools.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.